403 Longing for Retribution
The old man from the Thousand Divination Tower slowly closed his eyes, his lips repeating a name, “Zhou Cunzhong, Zhou Cunzhong…Zhou Cunzhong…”
Despite being on the brink of death, their will to live remained undeterred. Their desire to stir up a final grand spectacle in their twilight moments was unquenchable.
The old man’s face drained of color, making him appear almost spectral. Moments later, his eyes snapped open and he spat out another mouthful of blood onto the ground.
Splatter!
This time, however, the blood didn’t form any discernible pattern.
“How is it that I’m unaware of this individual?” he mused aloud, giving Shao Mo’s corpse a swift kick. “Could he have died just now? Could that be why I failed?”
The old man from Wuji Mountain appeared equally shocked. He hadn’t anticipated this result. “Perhaps he is indeed dead,” he proposed, his countenance darkening. He didn’t want to believe it, yet his old companion’s deductions had rarely been inaccurate over the decades.
Steadying himself against a nearby tree, the old man from the Thousand Divination Tower rose to his feet, his technique having consumed a significant amount of his energy and lifespan. His vision was blurry, rendering his sight unclear. “Let’s rest for a couple of days. Then, we’ll deal with those greedy youngsters hiding in the level-one array,” proposed the old man from Wuji Mountain, a hint of excitement in his voice.
…
Meanwhile, in the level-five array, Yang Tianhan expressed his gratitude to the two young men standing beside him, both soaked in blood — Yun Qi from the White Cloud sect and Hua Yanli from the Thunderbolt Gang.
The trees within a mile radius were damaged, and several spectators trembled on the perimeter, focusing on the trio at the center. Nearby lay an elderly corpse, bearing signs of a violent death.
“Thank you, sirs, for saving me! If it weren’t for you, I would have been killed by that madman,” Yang Tianhan said, his face glowing with appreciation.
“It’s nothing. We were just defending ourselves,” Yun Qi replied dismissively, his expression impassive.
They hadn’t expected to encounter such a prodigy in a place like the level-five array. During the recent battle, their adversary had executed an exceptional ancient scripture technique, indicating mastery of the ninth refinement. His choice to vent his emotions in such a low-ranking area seemed madness.
“The two sirs are too modest. With your remarkable king-level abilities, surely it’s below you to visit our humble level-five array for three consecutive massacres?” Yang Tianhan returned the compliment.
Upon hearing this, Yun Qi and Hua Yanli’s stoic expressions instantly became awkward. Hua Yanli was somewhat more composed, whereas Yun Qi’s fair complexion flushed red with embarrassment, leaving him tongue-tied.
Did they want to come to the level-five array? They were being hunted by a pest who made every entrance into the array a nightmare.
They longed for retribution, yet, achieving mastery of the ancient scripture in the level-five array within a short time was nothing but a pipe dream. For top-tier prodigies like them, their talents and foundational skills were near equal. The road to recovery was strenuous and incremental.
However, surrender wasn’t an option. If they were to accept defeat, what would be left of their genius status or potential future rule? Reading each other’s resolve, the two shared a tacit understanding.
Half a year together, being placed in the same level-five array three times successively, had fostered a unique camaraderie between them. Despite minimal conversation, they saw each other as close allies, their bond further reinforced by their common goal.
Alone in the dense forest, Yang Tianhan’s smile dissolved into a serious expression. “As expected, the day when the older generation will confront the young talents has finally arrived,” he mused, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. He might profit from this upcoming conflict.
…
Meanwhile, in the level-one array within a tree hollow, a faint rhythmic sound reminiscent of hammering metal echoed.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sound wasn’t loud, but it subtly permeated the hollow, producing a crisp sound under the skin and muscles.
As the divine power book of a thousand creations improved, in his energy center, the great sun and the divine power book began to converge, with the sound of metal striking emanating from this convergence. The vibration from the sounds seemed to resonate with the blood in Qin Huai’s body, as if undergoing some form of tempering.
Qin Huai abruptly opened his eyes. “The divine power book of a thousand creations has now reached the pinnacle of the third-level bone pattern realm,” he murmured. “By advancing the divine power book to the fifth-level bone pattern realm, some form of anomaly should occur with the blood heart technique, triggering a new ability.”
Prodigies always pursued enhanced capabilities. Their aim was to unlock unique abilities arising from the interaction between different cultivation techniques. This would undoubtedly serve as a formidable weapon in their quest for domination or increased strength. Moreover, it was highly compatible with him.
“I need to find another person,” Qin Huai declared, emerging from the tree hollow. Spotting a large, adorable, gray-skinned rabbit, they shared a silent standoff from several meters apart deep within the forest.
Roar!
A deafening tiger’s and dragon’s roar erupted from Qin Huai, unleashing a terrifying shockwave that plunged dozens of meters into the forest. Startled, the rabbit swiftly turned around, covering its ears, frozen mid-hop.